The Commission for Air Quality Management said that the air quality index in the national capital was expected to remain ‘poor’ over the next few days.

BS 3 petrol and BS 4 diesel cars were banned in Delhi after pollution levels breached severe category last week.

The Commission for Air Quality Management, responsible for air pollution mitigation in Delhi-NCR, stated that restrictions under Stage 1 and Stage 2 will remain in place.

The decision comes after Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to 369 ('Very Poor') at 4 PM on December 24, down from a peak of 401 ('Severe') recorded on December 16.

Continuous rainfall since the morning has helped reduce pollution levels, leading to better air quality in Delhi

The anti-pollution restrictions under Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) were lifted in the Delhi-NCR region on Friday after air quality improved, with the 24-hour average AQI at 324 by 7 pm.

This decision follows continuous rainfall, which has helped bring down pollution levels, according to an official statement issued on Friday.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR."Observing a downward trend in the AQI levels of Delhi on 27.12.2024, the Sub-Committee on GRAP further reviewed the air quality scenario in the region as well as the IMD/IITM forecasts and observed as under,

NCR's air quality on Friday rolled back stage 3 curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) amid a dip in air pollution levels owing to continuous rains, according to an official order.

Stage 3 of GRAP has been revoked in Delhi-NCR by Commission for Air Quality Management. Meanwhile, the commission said measures under stages 1 and 2 of Graded Response Action Plan will remain effective to manage pollution levels.